News
Flood Tragedy: 9-Year-Old Boy Swept Away On Okpanam Road Found Dead
A nine-year-old boy, Chukwuemeka Emmanuel, has died after he was reportedly swept away by floodwaters following heavy rainfall around Redeem Junction on Okpanam Road in Asaba, Delta State.
The incident came to public attention on Monday after social activist Harrison Gwamnishu shared a missing child alert on Facebook, appealing to residents around Anwai Road and adjoining communities to search drainage channels, culverts, and waterways for the missing boy.
In an update posted on Tuesday, Gwamnishu announced that Emmanuel had been found.
According to the update, the child was rescued from the floodwaters and rushed to a hospital, where medical personnel reportedly confirmed that he was dead on arrival.
Gwamnishu stated that Emmanuel was swept away by floodwaters from the Redeem Road/Okpanam Road area before his body was later recovered near Asaba International Airport.
Describing the incident as heartbreaking, the activist called on government at all levels to urgently address the dangers posed by open drainage systems, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.
He urged authorities to cover or adequately secure open drains and improve flood control measures to prevent similar tragedies.
The tragic incident has sparked renewed concerns over flooding and the safety of drainage infrastructure in Asaba, particularly during the rainy season.
As of the time of filing this report, relevant authorities had not issued an official statement on the incident.